Restore point and registry change

[Bill W]

If I create a restore point before making a registry change, will a restore
undo the registry change in the event of a mistake?

 

[BillW50]

In Bill W typed on Sat, 5 Sep 2009 08:30:50 -0600:

If I create a restore point before making a registry change, will a
restore undo the registry change in the event of a mistake?

Yes! Also ERUNT (freeware) is good for tasks like this too.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

In most cases, yes. See http://bertk.mvps.org/html/filesfolders.html

Ideally, you'd back-up the key(s) in question before making any changes.
See http://www.insideoe.com/tips/regedit.htm

 

[Bennett Marco]

In Bill W typed on Sat, 5 Sep 2009 08:30:50 -0600:

Yes! Also ERUNT (freeware) is good for tasks like this too.

I've never understood why folks suggest that program. I think it's
something that appeals to some "techies". I can't see its usefulness.

 

[Twayne]

If I create a restore point before making a registry change, will a
restore undo the registry change in the event of a mistake?

Yes. But not in all cases. When you open the System Restore dialog, pay
attention and the screen will tell you specifically that you can come
back to the original restore point if you want to.
When it doesn't say that it's often not possible to do. I've never
figured out why.
Usually it seems to only be avaliable onthe first restore you do. If
you do a second, then there's a chance you won't be able to.

E-runt was suggested because it can backup a registry at a point in
time, which can always be restored back in order to get back to where
you started.

XP's ntbackup.exe can also do that. You backup (and restore) what's
called the "System State" in the explorer like dialogs it presents to
you. Seems like there was an option to go right to backing up the
system state too, but I don't recall where it is at the moment.
The System State contains the entire registry and several other boot
time programs that are needed. A lot like System Restore but more
inclusive and permanently exists so it can be used again. Actually, I
think E-runt does the same thing, just automatically for the user.
There are other such programs around the 'net too.

HTH,

Twayne`

 

[Bill in Co.]

I've never understood why folks suggest that program. I think it's
something that appeals to some "techies". I can't see its usefulness.

It's quite useful when you simply want to undue some recent changes made to
the registry (as a result of something you tried out, but want to simply
undo). System Restore does that, of course, PLUS a bunch more, which can be
an undesireable overkill (such as removing some exe files you just recently
saved that you may still want to remain on your HD, but they were monitored
and removed by System Restore in its restoration effort). The bottom line
is, it's a great tool to have in addition to System Restore.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

It's quite useful when you simply want to undue some recent changes made to
the registry (as a result of something you tried out, but want to simply
undo). System Restore does that, of course, PLUS a bunch more, which can be
an undesireable overkill (such as removing some exe files you just recently
saved that you may still want to remain on your HD, but they were monitored
and removed by System Restore in its restoration effort). The bottom line
is, it's a great tool to have in addition to System Restore.

A very strongly felt "ditto" to everything "Bill in Co." says above.

And one addition: it's very easy to use.

 

[Mrosen7542]

Hi to all. I've found ERUNT to be an invaluable tool especially in the event that System Restore fails and can't restore successfully to a previous restore point which can and does happen occasionally.

 

[Bill in Co.]

A very strongly felt "ditto" to everything "Bill in Co." says above.

And one addition: it's very easy to use.

Easier, and much quicker, to boot! And less invasive (i.e., more
modest overall, since it only undo's changes made to the registry).

Generally what happens over here when I need to undo something is this:

1) Use ERUNT if the changes that needed to be undone were relatively minor
(ones that are recorded in and based on the registry, that is, and nothing
else).
2) Use my Image system backup, if the changes made were more extensive.
3) Or occasionally use System Restore (like perhaps if I hadn't made a
recent image backup and still needed to go back in time, and Erunt wouldn't
be able to restore enough)

 

[Raymond Shaw]

Easier, and much quicker, to boot! And less invasive (i.e., more
modest overall, since it only undo's changes made to the registry).

Generally what happens over here when I need to undo something is this:

1) Use ERUNT if the changes that needed to be undone were relatively minor
(ones that are recorded in and based on the registry, that is, and nothing
else).
2) Use my Image system backup, if the changes made were more extensive.
3) Or occasionally use System Restore (like perhaps if I hadn't made a
recent image backup and still needed to go back in time, and Erunt wouldn't
be able to restore enough)

Please... nobody else reply or BinCo will keep this thread going for
freaking ever.

 

[Bill in Co.]

Please... nobody else reply or BinCo will keep this thread going for
freaking ever.

Sigh, must be another newager, with their newage, limited, sound bite
mentality, perseverance of a pea. Yet another sign of the times...